Washington Weekly is IDFA’s new periodic update curating policy news from the nation’s capital. This week, the Mexican Ambassador to the United States shares his optimism for progress on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); members of Congress look to make progress on the 2018 Farm Bill; and political handicappers analyze the Supreme Court nominee.

NAFTA

The Mexican Ambassador to the United States expressed confidence that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation could be wrapped up by the end of this year. Speaking at an event hosted by POLITICO, a federal policy publication, Ambassador Gerónimo Gutiérrez added that he was optimistic about statements from Mexico’s new president, López Obrador and his transition team. Read more from POLITICO.

Farm Bill 2018

The House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday voted to move its version of the farm bill (H.R. 2) to a conference committee, where representatives and senators will convene to try to develop a compromise farm bill that can pass both the House and the Senate. The inclusion of new work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants is one of the biggest differences between the House and Senate bills. For more, read Roll Call’s analysis here.

Political Prognostications

After President Trump earlier this month nominated Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the Supreme Court, political analysts have begun combing through the nominee’s judicial history. This report by FiveThirtyEight analyzes the different avenues utilized to determine Kavanaugh’s political ideology.

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